No Co-Pay Birth Control Helps Racine-Area Women Lead Healthier Lives

Earlier this week, on July 19, the Institute of Medicine (IOM) issued a statement supporting the elimination of co-pays for birth control.

Amanda Harrington, spokesperson for Planned Parenthood of Wisconsin, said that this is a huge step forward for women's health.

"The IOM's announcement is a huge step forward in women's health," said Harrington. "Too often the cost of birth control determine's the method, which, of course, can mean the total lack of birth control and that leads to a host of medical and societal issues."

First, by making sure all American women - not just those who can afford it - have access to birth control, the rate of infant mortality will go down. Women who space out their pregnancies are more likely to get prenatal care and that means higher birth weights because babies go to term and have fewer health problems.

Second, eliminating co-pays for birth control means fewer abortions. According to the Centers for Disease Control, the leading reason for abortion is unintended pregnancy.

At Planned Parenthood Racine, an average of 14,000 units of birth control are distributed annually. That includes pills, shots, patches, IUDs and more.

Access to affordable healthcare, including birth control, Harrington added, is essential to building strong communities.

"It's really common sense," she said. "Birth control leads to fewer unintended pregnancies, fewer abortions and fewer sick babies."

According to a press release from the national office of Planned Parenthood, IOM asked the U.S. Department for Health and Human Services to add birth control to the list of preventative care definitions, thereby setting a national policy for coverage.

That same press release cites a survey where 77 percent and 74 percent of Americans, respectively, support no-cost birth control through both insurance companies and government-sponsored plans.

Do you think birth control should be fully covered by insurance plans?